Help Teens Spend Their Own Money

It seems like every day, my teenagers want something and I say they have to use their money for their wants. They don’t necessarily need what they want, but that can be a hard lesson to learn (even for adults).

Admittedly, I love buying things for all of my children. I remember what it was like being a teenager. I worked two jobs, went to school and took ballet (one of my jobs was teaching ballet to help pay for my lessons).

I know the value of being a teenager who works and pays for things I want and need.

However, that doesn’t mean I’m not a parent who wants to give everything in the world to my teenagers and younger child. I do. In all honesty, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the look on their face when I can lavish them in things they want for absolutely no reason at all….

But, I don’t.

Not because I’m some great Mom with all of the answers about ‘why you can’t have that’ other than the fact that – well, the bank account wouldn’t allow it. So, that obstacle helps keep me in check.

Now, the area we live in is very affluent. Almost every day I see a 16 year old driving a car that probably cost as much as my home. I’ll admit, that causes me a little heart ache and some jealousy, but that’s my problem, not theirs. It also makes me look at my teens and pray that God will help them see past the material things in the world….

Because living in a world focused on materialism can also be a heart problem for my kids.

You see, they like having friends and fitting in (like the rest of us). And that can be a challenge with a wide range of socio-economic diversity……

And when you have a Mom who makes you work and do chores, that adds a little more to it.

But, I have to say, I am thankful for those parents who see the value in teens working and helping with chores (even without being paid an allowance).

I am even more thankful for parents who see your teenage son buying their own sports drink (and threw in a drink for Mom) and comments on how great it is ‘to see a kid buying their own stuff and doing so with cash.’

That recently happened when I stopped with my son on the way to his soccer games. It hadn’t been a great day and we were running late. He was thirsty, I was tired and honestly not feeling all that great.

So, KUDOs to the gentleman who said that out loud. Thank you for backing me up as a parent and also encouraging my son to continue ‘working his two jobs and paying for his own stuff…’

I’m thankful for the hard work my husband and I have put into teaching our children the value of work and chores. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

In all honesty, I’d still like to be able to go out and just buy that car…..(maybe it’s a blessing I can’t). What do you think?

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Comments

Working as a teen helps build a work ethic for when they are adults and work for a living. If you’re family doesn’t need to work for a living, kuddos. Where I work the work ethic is quite lacking in both the teens and young adults. We have an 19 year old, out of school now for over a year, who has been with the company and during the first 7 months he called in sick more then I had in 10 years. Unfortunately because of the worker shortage, he’s still there, and still calling in sick at least once a week. (He’s yet to do a 40 hour work week in the 17 months he’s been with the company)
As for the students we TRY to employ..most only want to work 3 hours in a month ..YES, 3 whole hours in a 30 day period ….. Its tough when the work force who is 50+ have to do OT almost every day due to the fact that we can’t find reliable employees.